Though keeping a home’s HVAC system up and running at all times is one of the most fundamental tasks a homeowner has, it may be something that you’re just not sure of how to do because there is a lot to it. Learning about selecting the best HVAC professional to maintain or repair services is a wise move for any smart homeowner. The following article will get you started.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Keep the exterior of the condenser unit free of debris.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outside unit. Shoot grass the other way. If you’re blowing leaves, this same problem can occur, so make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it.
Clean the debris regularly. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also helps retain heated air during the winter months.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
If you want to know where you should put an outdoor compressor, you should place it somewhere where there is a lot of shade. If your unit is sucking in cooler air, it will have less work to do to cool that air as it sends it inside which boosts efficiency.
During the visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These few simple things will help your system running at peak performance.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. This will help you make the right choice.
Consumers are usually advised to have their HVAC systems inspected twice a year. This should be done in Fall and Spring to prepare it for the extreme months. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a contractor comes with an element of risk.
Have a smart thermostat installed. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Additionally, some models of programmable thermostats actually allow you to control them remotely from your office computer or cell phone.
Ask around so you are looking for a HVAC contractor. People who they have used and if they are worth calling. This is also let you know which companies to stay away from.
There are a few sites these days that allow customers talk about their experiences with different services. This will be an excellent way to locate people that you wish to work with and those that you don’t.
Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
Not many things are of more importance when it comes to having a comfortable environment in a home than having an HVAC system that works the way it should. Therefore, if it breaks, you need to know how to handle the situation. Luckily, any homeowner can know just how to proceed when they are aware of the information contained in this article.